ESTEVAN - The University of Regina is starting an outreach program aimed at learning about the needs of rural Saskatchewan.
The president of the university, Dr. Jeff Keshen, virtually joined the Estevan city council Sept. 20 to share their plans. They hope to connect with communities outside of Regina, learn more about their needs and also show parents and students who are coming from those communities what they offer and reassure them about the care that they have for their students.
"What I'm hoping to do with the University of Regina is to get a greater presence in communities outside of Regina, to interact with, to understand how we can respond to some of the needs of the community, whether that be through getting your advice on how we perhaps do a better job of offering options within the community, whether it's by offering with some of the local educational facilities there, or through online learning and for micro-credentialing," Kershen said.
"This one is really the first of several conversations that I hope to have. And we can also not just do so in person, but let's make that connection continue through Zoom."
He added that the university wants to better understand the questions from the communities they reach out to, whether it's health, energy, sustainability, etc., and through research try providing answers. Besides, this outreach program is aimed at better educating high-school students about their potential options at the university, as well as at showing the existing options to their parents and future employers.
They are also looking at potentially bringing some signature events out to other communities in Saskatchewan, so that people outside Regina could feel the vibrancy of the university.
Keshen noted that he had experience with a similar program while working in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Councillor Travis Frank thanked Keshen for the presentation and suggested that they should also work together to find ways to motivate students to come back to Estevan after they receive their degrees.
"That's something we definitely would love to work with you on figuring out how we can make sure that that bridge goes both ways, and we can bring educated citizens back to our community, which is a win-win for everybody," Frank said.
Keshen said that it's a global problem but there might be some solutions to it, which he hopes to discuss during his visit. He will be coming to Estevan in mid-October to meet with council, business leaders and visit the Estevan Comprehensive School.
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Council decided to look into the possibility to do something to support the Light it Up! for NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month) initiative, to be held on Oct. 21.
It's a one night, co-ordinated lighting event in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Saskatchewan.
"Let's recognize how people experiencing disability contribute to business and their communities helping companies be successful and competitive," said the organization in their address to city council.
Light it Up! For NDEAM is an initiative of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) and MentorAbility Canada. In its second year, the initiative is going national inviting all provinces to shine the spotlight on inclusive employment.
SARC, a provincial association of over 100 community-based organizations, dedicated to supporting people with disabilities within their community to live life to their full potential, supported the initiative and asked the city of Estevan and its people to do the same by lighting purple lights on Oct. 21.
Councillor Shelly Veroba suggested council support the initiative. The new lighting for the water tower won't be ready in time to be a part of it this year, but the city government agreed to do their best to try to light up some of their buildings. They are also encouraging the people of Estevan to put out purple lights on Oct. 21.
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The new owner of a residence at 801 First Street requested to acquire additional land from the city to allow for a larger home and garage on the lot. As the developer proposal in the case was unusual, it was brought to council for consideration.
The landowner asked to purchase approximately four metres of city road right of way and incorporate it into the lot. The property and adjoining street doesn't have the sidewalk or curbing installed, and Eighth Avenue at the location is not hard surfaced. The landowner offered to install a curb and gutter to the city standards on the entire frontage in exchange for the additional land. Besides, the landowner suggested that he can install a sidewalk on First Street on his frontage at his own expense if one is to be built.
Preliminary analysis by city engineering Kiflom Weldeab indicated that the cost of the curb and gutter would likely exceed the calculated value for the land piece discussed.
Veroba pointed out that this request doesn't mean that the city is to put a sidewalk at the discussed location.
Land development services and engineering supported the proposal and recommended that the council proceed with the road closure bylaw, which they did by giving first reading.
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The City of Estevan issued six building reports for a total of $47,278 in August. All of them were miscellaneous. That brought the total for permits to 30 worth $1,840,883 for this year.
